CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LONG BEACH
BLACK SCHOLAR'S NEWSLETTER
April 14, 2023
The Black Scholars Newsletter exists to share dynamic, informative and empowering knowledge that uplifts, encourages, and inspires our community.
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Co-Editors Kayla Brooks and Teylor Graves
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Terri Armstrong
Interim Director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs
By Teylor Graves
Terri Armstrong has been a part of the CSULB family for many years and her hard work and dedication has not gone unnoticed. Terri first started out in the College of Education for two years then gradually progressed in her career path. She later worked in the Social Work Department in Admission for a year which led Terri to the Career Center where she spent ten to eleven years of her professional time. The next job position that she acquired was in the Outreach and School Relations Department as an Assistant Director for two more years. Then after getting promoted Terri was asked to be an Interim Director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs accumulating in a total of seventeen years spent at Cal State Long Beach.
Now with this new professional role, Terri has developed conflict management skills that have aided her in a leadership position. She would like to thank two main mentors that have helped her in her professional journey. Terri met two Black women named Dr. Venetta Campbell and Dr. Candice Smith, who were faculty, on campus that helped her become who she is today. She met them while working at the College of Social Work and they are still impacting her life to this day. Outside of these two magnificent women, Terri has multiple people she can go to for guidance and ask for help. Furthermore, what Terri loves about her job the most is that she is able to work with students and staff creating different relationships, and building an established community she can lean on and support.
In addition, Terri has obtained a B.A. in Social Science at UC Irvine and a M.S. in Higher Education with an Emphasis in Social Justice and Advocacy at Cal State Fullerton. Throughout all of these extraordinary accomplishments, Terri’s greatest achievement in her life is maintaining her integrity and staying true to who she is, including upholding her values and beliefs. Along with her victories comes wisdom, and in order to obtain wisdom a little advice goes a long way. One of the best pieces of advice that Terri has ever received was “Go home.” Terri explains how this quote is important to her because it means if you can’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of others.
A lot goes into someone’s course of life. Lessons are learned and mistakes are made and one the hardest lessons that Terri had to learn but was one of the most significant ones was to not compare yourself to others and what you do does not make you valuable. You are valuable regardless of your position. Your job doesn’t define your ability or what you can and can’t do. Be confident with who you are and let yourself be your motivator. Terri’s motivator is being of service and helping others which is one of the many things that makes her awesome besides her witty sense of humor.
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Joshua James
2nd year master's student, Counseling Option in Higher Education and Student Development
This month we had the pleasure of interviewing Joshua James one of our Black scholars on campus. He gracefully and thoroughly answered our questions:
1. Who are you? (Name, year, major)
Joshua James, 2nd year master's student, Major: Counseling Option in Higher Education and Student Development
2. How has the Black scholar's community benefited you?
As a graduate student, it is difficult to feel engaged on campus at times. Through the Black Scholars newsletter, I am able to witness the talents, trials, and triumphs of Black students that attend CSULB, and it helps me feel connected to the campus. It motivates me to want to be a professional in higher education that addresses Black student issues through individual counseling and institutional policy. Also knowing students through the Black scholar's program, makes graduate school as a Black student feel less lonely and isolating. I am often encouraged by my peers and their success while navigating higher education.
3. What are you involved in on campus?
I am a member of the Black Resource Center, a member of the Association of Professionals in Student Affairs, the Male Success Initiative.
4. What has your experience being a Black student on campus been like?
Overall, I have had a great experience as a Black student on campus. I have only attended CSULB as a graduate student and most of my campus experience has been online. Though representation of Black staff and faculty is low on campus, I have found my professors, advisors, and other folks in my program and throughout the campus to be very supportive of my personal and professional goals.
5. How can the campus improve in terms of supporting Black students?
Our campus could still afford to increase representation for Black students by hiring more Black faculty and staff across different departments. Also, faculty and staff could support Black students better by being aware of student resources and organizations for students' professional development in and outside of the institution. The campus could afford to increase the amount of Black mental health counselors and make sure that the counselors that we do currently have are culturally competent.
Joshua, we want to thank you for a wonderful interview and for your contribution to our Black Scholars community on campus! Keep doing your thing King!
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Kyari Cail
Enjoy this informative interview with Tiffany and Curglin Robertson featuring alum, Kyari Cail!
Transcriptions are available within the video below:
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Black Organization Highlight |
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Queen II Queen
by Kyndall Payne
Are you ready to join a community of fierce, empowered Black women? Look no further than QueenIIQueen, the student organization dedicated to uplifting, supporting, and celebrating our sisters on campus. So, if you're ready to slay the game, join us and let your crown shine! Get ready to come together to celebrate Black excellence and support each other on our journeys. QueenIIQueen has something for every queen looking to reign supreme.
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Lauren Niba
President of QueenllQueen
“QueenIIQueen is a self-love, supportive organization that brings ALL DIFFERENT types of Black women on campus. It is a safe space for black women on & off the CSULB campus. One of my many goals as the current President is to allow every Black woman to take the time out of their day to join & unite as a whole, whether it’s through workshops, random well/news checks, stereotypes, or group dates, etc. It is my given duty to share my knowledge & allow me to voice your valuable opinions on your feelings, concerns, prior knowledge, and present research because by all means, do as you please except with the #1 to be respectful. I feel as though, even according to statistics that we are the most underrepresented and disrespected people on this planet. While such categories all stem back to white supremacy and its moral values of the European beauty standard, I know it can be tiring, YET we’re so strong we find a way to become beautiful genuine, trendsetters like Black women. That’s one out of the million frisked as we Black women walk upon the face of this Earth unapologetically.” - Cameroonian President of QueenIIQueen, Laureen Niba
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Kelli Pamphlet
Vice President of QueenIIQueen
“QueenIIQueen aims to provide a creative and diverse outlet and safe space for Black Women. We are open to sharing experiences, goals, values, and concerns. Strength within our community and people who look like us is key. I’m excited to create new relationships and have fun and difficult conversations while being more educated in our culture”. ~Kelli Pamphlet, Vice President of QueenIIQueen
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Kyndall Payne
Social Media Manager of QueenIIQueen
"Welcome to QueenIIQueen, where we strengthen and uplift Black women on campus and beyond. Friendship, excellence, and resilience are the core values of our community. We strive to create an atmosphere that is secure and encouraging for all women to flourish through our future events and outreach efforts. I look forward to inspiring and empowering each other.”
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Kyra Childress
Event chair of QueenIIQueen
“Hey! My name is Kyra, and I am the Event chair for QueenIIQueen. I joined QueenIIQueen because I feel that there is a lack of connection between the Black women on campus, and I wanted to be a part of the change. As the event chair, I see coming together and bonding as the most important part of the solution. I want women to have a safe place to explore their interests and be empowered by their differences. We are intelligent and beautiful, but most importantly, we are creative. My goal is to create events where we can learn from each other, vent together, and encourage Black joy.”
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Black Owned Business Highlight |
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Deon Straight of Deon Fragrances
by Imani Moses
Self-care and balance are vital when you are an individual who wears many hats. A motto that Deon lives by is, “Look good, feel good, and smell good” and I am happy to share that Deon is living out his vison in creating a product for anyone who wants to take care of their mind, body, spirit, and peace. Deon Straight is a CSULB alumni and graduated in 2015 with a double major in the Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Development and Psychology. He currently works as a Registered Behavioral Technician and is currently getting his master's in special education with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis from UMass Global. After graduating from college in 2015, Deon later relocated to the Antelope Valley area and worked at an Elementary School. Deon started his business, Deon Fragrances as a 2020 pandemic project as a way to navigate into something where he could be more creative, do something fun, and destress. During his time of making his vision come into fruition, he did lots of research on formulas, learning the difference between essential oils, fragrance oils, what works best as a base and through all his trial and error he learned to master what worked best for him. After two years of creating, Deon launched his fragrances August 13, 2022, and launched his candle line in December 2022. Some advice Deon offers for folks who want to go into entrepreneurship are to take into account what you are passionate about and what you want to share with others. Be consistent, focused, and connect yourself with people who have been in the field you are going into. Seeking mentorship, attending events and becoming a vendor are ways to learn. Also, make sure you think about the financial aspect of your business in regard to how much money you are going to put in your business initially through the trial-and-error process and making sacrifices both financially and socially. Know that there will be trial and error during this journey and don’t let that deter you from starting your business. During this process, Deon learned to be patient with himself, know how to balance life, take feedback, adjust and learn from those adjustments and also discovering other ways he is creative. He learned that when you are passionate about something, you make time for it. A very important goal and investment for Deon is to investment is to climb the social economic later and be an inspiration to other young black men. Deon Fragrances currently offers three scents, and they are, Scent#3, Iridescent Musk and California Dreaming. The three candles he offers are Iridescent Musk, Bourbon Nights, and Brown Mello Vela. The top seller and Deon’s personal favorite are the bourbon Night's candle, and my personal favorite is the Brown Mello Vela.
You can contact Deon via email at deonfragrances@gmail.com Instagram- Deon_fragrances Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/deonfragrances?ref=l2-about-shopname
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Mayor Rex Richardson Confirms City of Long Beach First Time Homebuyer Assistance Program Applications Are Open
This program helps lower the biggest barrier to entry for first-time homebuyers—the down payment.
Now, Long Beach families can apply for grants of up to $20,000 that can help with:
- Down payments
- Non-recurring closing costs, such as loan, title, and escrow fees
- Loan points or fees to buy down their mortgage interest rates
This program is designed to assist low- and moderate-income families traditionally underrepresented in homeownership with purchasing their first home and building multi-generational wealth.
Applicants must:
- Be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident
- Be a first-time homebuyer
- Be a first-generation homebuyer
- Household income must not exceed 150% of the LA County Area Median Income (AMI)
- Currently live in a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) qualified area in Long Beach
- Be pre-approved by a lender for a 30-year fixed mortgage loan. Cash purchases are not eligible.
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The Annual CSULB Black Alumni Scholarship Gala
For more information, please email us at blackscholars@csulb.edu or visit our website below:
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Black Scholar David Ifediba's Journey to Real Estate
I fell in love with real estate at the age of four. I was fortunate to watch my father in his real estate journey and was amazed at his hard work and dedication to the business. Over time, his passion influenced me to get my real estate license and join the path towards financial freedom. Two weeks after graduating college, I began studying for my real estate exam and go licensed April 9th, 2021. Little did I know that this license would change my life. It took me time to find my footing however, I have been able to do so with the hard work, diligence, and persistence that I have towards my clients. I mirrored the qualities that my father put forth in his business and ushered them into mine.
My involvement in the Black Scholars community stems from meeting extraordinary people such as Jeremy Scruggs, Dr. John Hamilton, and Tracy Kelly. They have provided me with a place on campus where I feel welcomed and comfortable being my true self. I am grateful their efforts and will continue to give back to the community in the best way I can. Doing volunteer work and participating in BSU meetings, I have found a way to give back to the community and be the best version that I can be.
To contact David please see contact information below:
Phone: 310-849-8919
Instagram: @David_Ifed
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BSUEA Collection and The Origins of EOP Field Trip
A CSULB field trip on April 7 to visit The Origins of EOP Exhibit at the Historical Society of Long Beach. EOP has already reserved the bus for this event. The bus can fit up to 54 people max and is scheduled to depart at 5:30pm from the Go Beach by Brotman Hall to the museum. The bus is expected to return back to campus by 8-8:30pm. Food/drinks will be provided for students at the museum.
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Free Income Tax Preparation
Volunteer Income tax Assistance program. Students get trained in January and prepare state and federal income tax returns for individual clients with income below $ 60,000 this tax season. Last year they assisted 697 clients –on and off campus with refunds of $ 1,243,359.
They offer services M-TH 10 am to 8 pm, Friday 9 am to 3 pm and the next Saturday is March 11 from 10am -3 pm. They are closed for spring break and end April 8 – after which they clean up any rejected returns and take care of any issues before the tax deadline. They offer on zoom, drop off and face to face services.
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Black Ink Radio by Black Scholar Kamryn Bouyett
Black Ink premieres live Tuesdays from five to six p.m. from the 22West Radio station on the bottom floor of the student union. The radio show will promote Black alternative artists but not limited to- Black art. If you’re interested in becoming a listener, you can come to the basement of the student union Tuesdays from five to six p.m. Or you can listen online at www.22westradio.com. Hit the play button at five p.m. and you’re all set! Want to contribute to the conversation instead? Fill out the interest form before April 10. Black Ink is set to conclude before finals and graduation to avoid time conflicts with potential guests. If you want to directly contact the host, please email kamryn.bouyett01@student.csulb.edu.
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Campus Couture Gone Rogue
Join Campus Couture on Friday, May 5th at 7PM for an evening featuring collection from eleven different designers!
There will a fashion show, a live DJ show, a photobooth, and more!
For updates, please follow their Instagram page at: @campuscouturecsulb.
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Elevating The Voices of Black CSULB Students |
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Aquila Jacquette
Fourth year, Creative Writing Major
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My time as a CSULB Black scholar has been a memorable one. I came onto campus as a transfer student and while I didn't have many expectations of what my university life would be like, there was something that I instantly noticed. I was part of a very small minority group. I am a Human Resources Management major at the college of business. In each class that I attended I was elated to find at least one fellow Black student. We are few and far between.
It was a very lonely and isolating feeling that sent me on a mission. Where are the Black people? Where is my community at CSULB? One of my favorite books says, "seek and you shall find". That's exactly what happened. I looked for and found my Black community. I found the Black faculty and staff that backed and supported me throughout my academic journey. I found Sister friends, a Black women's support group that gave me a safe space to vent about the troubles that I was faced with. I found Black Table talk which played such an important and therapeutic role as I watched social injustice and mass murders unfold time and time again. I also took a stand and revived the Black Business Student Association so that us few black students within the college of business would have a place to gather where we would see familiar faces.
My time as a Black scholar has not been smooth, but it has definitely been memorable.
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